Learn How to Pronounce worst
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How to pronounce:
worst
Definition:
(nou) the least favorable outcome (nou) the greatest damage or wickedness of which one is capable (nou) the weakest effort or poorest achievement one is capable of
Phonetic Transcription:
wɜːst
Examples:
They are the best of the best and the worst of the worst.
Even when dealing with the worst of the worst, don't stoop to that level.
Even when dealing with the worst of the worst, don't stop to that level.
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Common mistakes of worst pronunciation
- Misplacing the vowel sound: Many speakers confuse the vowel sound in "worst" with a long "o" sound, pronouncing it as "woorst." The correct pronunciation is /wɜrst/ in US English and /wɜːst/ in UK English. Tip: Focus on the short "er" sound.
- Ignoring the "r" sound: Some may drop the "r" sound, saying "wost" instead of "worst." This alters the meaning and makes it unclear. The "r" is essential. Tip: Practice saying "wor" with a strong "r" to emphasize it.
- Overemphasizing the "t": A common mistake is to overly stress the "t" at the end, making it sound clipped. The "t" should be pronounced, but not exaggerated. Tip: Keep the "t" light and quick, as in /wɜrst/.
- Confusing "worst" with "first": Some learners mix up "worst" and "first," pronouncing "worst" as if it were "first." They sound quite different. Tip: Remember that "worst" has a "w" sound, while "first" begins with an "f."
- Mispronouncing the stress: Incorrectly stressing the second syllable, saying "wor-ST," can lead to confusion. "Worst" is a single syllable with the stress on the first part. Tip: Always stress the "wor" in "worst" to ensure clarity.